The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has urged communities to organize themselves to avoid circumstances that could lead to conflicts following the death of individuals.
Dr. Biteko made these remarks on May 23, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, while representing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the official opening of the annual Conference and General Meeting of the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA).
He emphasized that if communities proactively prepare and foster conducive environments, they will be able to prevent unnecessary conflicts, live peacefully, and reduce the costs associated with resolving disputes.
Additionally, Dr. Biteko commended TAWLA for its sustained excellent work over the past 35 years since its inception in 1990.
“Since your establishment, many social organizations have emerged alongside your association, but several dissolved within one year, others after five years, and some after ten. However, you have grown stronger and continue to make a significant impact,” Dr. Biteko remarked.
He further conveyed President Samia’s appreciation to TAWLA for actively participating in the Samia Legal Aid campaign, stressing that the Government will continue collaborating with the association to ensure communities live in peace and harmony aligning with TAWLA’s vision of supporting vulnerable populations.
“Without your contribution, many of the government’s achievements might not have reached their current level,” Dr. Biteko stated.
He encouraged TAWLA’s leadership to keep motivating and recruiting new members who are willing to offer assistance confidently within their communities.
Dr. Biteko also highlighted Government initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership roles, including efforts to balance the ratio of female to male judges in the appellate and High Courts.
Regarding the upcoming General Election, he urged members interested in leadership positions to step forward and contest to represent citizens, particularly the growing number of women.
In his remarks, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, praised TAWLA for its advocacy on behalf of women and its role in facilitating access to legal aid.
“TAWLA plays a critical role in addressing societal behaviors, a task that demands extensive expertise,” he noted, adding that legal practitioners handle people from diverse backgrounds, making their work both complex and essential.
TAWLA Chairperson, Advocate Suzan Ndomba, commended the Government’s efforts to protect rights and tackle challenges facing women and children nationwide.
She pointed out that the Government’s investment in infrastructure projects such as energy, water, and education creates greater opportunities for Tanzanian women, who have historically been disproportionately affected by the lack of these services.
Advocate Ndomba also outlined TAWLA’s key achievements, including training lawyers, establishing a free hotline for reporting abuse, defending clients in court, and contributing to the drafting and enactment of the 2009 Child Act and the special sexual offenses clause in the SOSPA Act of 2008.
Founded in 1990 with just 40 members, TAWLA’s membership has since grown to 420, marking 35 years of impactful service.